# Research: buying insulin out of pocket without insurance **URL:** \ **Category:** Insulin\ **Tags:** cost-of-diabetes\ **Created:** [February 17, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/research-buying-insulin-out-of-pocket-without-insurance/3512 "2018-02-17T01:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![krallison](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/krallison/32/3898_2.png) [@krallison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/krallison)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 7:09am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/research-buying-insulin-out-of-pocket-without-insurance/3512/41 "2018-06-10T07:09:49Z")
Have you got the CAD pricing? I am going to Canada and I have funds there in CAD. Thanks!! Karen ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 7:31am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/research-buying-insulin-out-of-pocket-without-insurance/3512/42 "2018-06-26T07:31:11Z")
@krallison, so sorry I missed your question! We have several threads on Canada pricing, but I think almost all of them account for pricing in US$. Is conversion a problem? ---
**Author:** ![krallison](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/krallison/32/3898_2.png) [@krallison](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/krallison)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 8:01am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/research-buying-insulin-out-of-pocket-without-insurance/3512/43 "2018-06-26T08:01:14Z")
Thanks, Michel. I’m back home but I did buy 5 packages of 5 insulin pens for not much more than the copay here for one package. They’re in the fridge and I’ll be back in Canada before I run out. (or Mexico). Interesting that there is no requirement for a prescription in Canada for Insulin. The nurse practitioner I asked today in Las Vegas said she thinks there’s no requirement in the US either. ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 11:19am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/research-buying-insulin-out-of-pocket-without-insurance/3512/44 "2018-06-26T11:19:13Z")
You are totally right about Canada prescriptions! Although one if the pharmacies I went to didn’t know. For the US, though, that is only true for old fashioned insulin (NPH etc). 2nd and 3rd generation insulins need a prescription, a shame really. ---
**Author:** ![Scotteric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@Scotteric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Scotteric)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 2:39pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/research-buying-insulin-out-of-pocket-without-insurance/3512/45 "2018-06-26T14:39:36Z")
I remember asking for Allegra (a common over-the-counter allergy pill) when I was vacationing in Florida almost 20 years ago and being told I needed a prescription. I also couldn’t believe syringes require a prescription, here we want drug addicts to have them (though my province just elected a Donald Trump wannabe as leader so that may change). ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/research-buying-insulin-out-of-pocket-without-insurance/3512/46 "2018-06-26T14:54:45Z")
Syringes can be had without a prescription in the US. Allegra became Over the counter a long while ago as well, but in the “good ole” days you needed a scrip. ---
**Author:** ![drpepper68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@drpepper68](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/drpepper68)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2018, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/research-buying-insulin-out-of-pocket-without-insurance/3512/47 "2018-06-27T13:49:06Z")
Merck’s pharmacy rocks. I use them for other stuff. Also these pay it forward sites are great too if you’re in a pinch. You can’t depend on that I know, but I have given away tons of stuff cause I have great insurance. Like right now I have tons of Afrezza 4’s I don’t use that will go to waste. I only use 8’s and 12’s. Hate for them to go to waste. 😉 [Previous page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/research-buying-insulin-out-of-pocket-without-insurance/3512.md?page=2)